Best Date Night Ever November 30, 2007

 The hubby and I have been in serious need of a date night. But the money in the date night budget is spent and so it did not look like it was in the cards. Then I got a lovely email yesterday asking if I was available to do a “secret shop” at a local Mexican restaurant. Clever me, I turned it into a date!

I was going to do this fabulous “Frugal Friday” post on how great secret shopping is, but I realized I really don’t have any resources to pass on to explain to you how to do it. When we lived in Chicago, I was signed up with a whole host of companies and actually did shops every couple of weeks. I didn’t make much money, but we went to restaurants and movies for free which I found to be worth the 2 minutes it took to fill out a report.

If I may digress for a moment and tell you quickly about one particular movie theatre date in which the young man selling tickets was to busy using a ticket stub to clean dirt out from underneath his finger nails to be helpful…well, actually that’s the whole story right there. Needless to say, he didn’t receive high marks in customer service.

So anyway, this “shop” required me to call in a carryout order and then sit at the bar and order drinks and an appetizer while waiting for my order. So the hubby and I saddle up to the bar. He orders a beer the size of his head (cause after all, it is free) and I get a glass of wine. The bartender is excellent so he gets high marks, but we have managed to sit down next to Chatty McChatterson. She is clearly a regular by her banter with the bartender. After a bizarre story about the local hockey team’s mascot’s inappropriate come ons, I head over to pick up my carry out order, stranding the hubby to listen to a long list of grievances Chatty has with her company (which happens to be my hubby’s company also…probably not a smart move on Chatty’s part).

Anywho, I head over to pick up the order and they inform me they have forgotten to place it. They are so apologetic, but I keep thinking, “Man, did you pick the wrong order to screw up.” But they throw in some free guacamole to compensate. A little know fact about me- guacamole can pretty much erase any sins committed against me. So while I am waiting for my food, I try calling on my hubby’s cell to rescue him from small talk hell. He finally makes it over to me and we head home.

The food didn’t do so well on the ride home and was mediocre at best. The dessert was delicious though so does anything else really matter? We watched some Survivor, Pushing Daisies and Scrubs and headed to bed.

At this point, you might be wondering why this post is titled, “Best Date Night Ever” when it sounds like and extremely lame date night with marginal food, pathetic TV viewing and a run in with annoying bar lady. Because when we went to bed, we woke up 8 1/2 hours later without any interruption. Why? Cause the kiddos spent the night with the grandparents. Seriously, I could spend a date night cleaning out the hubbies toenails (and you know how I feel about feet) and think it was a success if uninterrupted sleep was involved. Now it is 9:30 and the hubby and I are both still in our pajamas. It’s like the date night that just keeps on givin’.

Things I Love Thursday- Reynolds Handi-Vac November 28, 2007

 Tis the season of too much food! What do you do when you have 17 pounds of cookies and jeans that are already a bit too tight? Freeze them!

Well, freezing food often leads to weird tastes and colors that I am not a big fan of. But alas a vacuum sealer can cost up to $300. Not anymore my friends. Reynolds has come up with a vacuum sealer for around $10.

How good of quality can it be for only $10? Well, I was recently given one to try and was really impressed with the results. It’s super easy to use and does what it is supposed to do. And not only does it keep your food protected, it saves you a lot of freezer space as it keeps your food compact. I like it because I can buy meat in bulk and freeze it in smaller portions so I can thaw just what I need. I haven’t found any downsides yet.

You can find these at most grocery stores and mass retailers. I would encourage you to give it a try if you freeze a lot. I would actually encourage you either way. I think it is an affordable buy, takes up little room and is easy to use. Plus it is an excuse to make tons of cookies, freeze them, and nibble them all year long. Don’t you think that is better than gorging yourself during the month of December? Don’t you? (help me out here people)

Works for Me Wednesday- A Better Way to hang Christmas tree lights November 27, 2007

 As I mentioned yesterday, I firmly believe every one of you should have your tree up and decorated by now. Thanksgiving weekend is for nothing else than Christmas decorating (well and gorging, sleeping, eating, and napping). So I assume that you have already decorated your tree, but if you are delinquent in your decorating then I have a tip that will save you a lot of hassle when you take down your tree (which should be done New Year’s Day by the way… I don’t make the rules people, but these are written in stone).

Anyway, I learned this from my husband shortly after we got married. Also shortly after a heated discussion as to whether our tree would be real or artificial (I will not keep you in suspense, he won- real). I let him win one early in our marriage in order that I could win everything from there on out. Cause that is the kind of sacrificial Proverbs 31 wife that I am.

Anyway (again), when putting lights up on the tree instead of spiraling them around the entire tree in a circular fashion, instead loop them from side to side in kind of an S shaped pattern around the parts of the tree that are visible. Not only do you not waste yards of lights on parts that face the wall, but when you are done you just pull them straight off the front.

Oh no, I didn’t just marry him for his good looks. He is brilliant with a Christmas tree too. And really what more can you ask for in a man.

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.

Tying up some loose ends November 26, 2007

  I have been tagged twice to do the Random Seven meme by Adventure Mom and Blog in my Eye and am a bit behind in getting to it. Here are the rules.

*Link to the blog of the person who tagged you.

*Post these rules on your blog.

*List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.

*Tag seven random [?] people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

*Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.

So here we go.

1. I have an aversion to feet. Actually I really like getting my own rubbed, but really freak out when someone else’s touch mine. It really doesn’t matter if they are sock footed or not, I really freak out. The hubby uses this fact to torture me as you may well expect. The only feet I don’t mind are baby feet which I love to touch and kiss. Not sure when that will wear off, but I am thinking 4 years old is getting dangerously close.
2. When I traveled to China, I really hated the food. It is NOTHING like “American” Chinese food. So to combat starvation, I would regularly hail a rickshaw and have a poor little man literally run me to McDonalds so I could have a Big Mac. I know, I know, but would you have had me starve??
3. Despite the backlash against Facebook for its breastfeeding prejudice, I have just joined. Why I need another thing on the internet to suck away my time, I have no idea. It is a sad race to accumulate friends and feel like you are loved. How old am I?
4. I have a large light red birthmark that runs the entire length of my right arm. In the summer when I am wearing short sleeves, people often ask with major concern, “Oh my, is that a rash?” I have taken to responding that it is a hickey.
5. I have never in fact had a hickey. I did however find a nifty website telling you how to remove one in case you get carried away.
6. I am a firm believer that the decorating of the house for Christmas must take place Thanksgiving weekend or you are some sort of heathen. I am living in shame that our outside lights aren’t up yet. I am however basking in the glow of our tree right now.
7. I take great pride in the fact that I know where all the whip cracks are in the song “Baby Got Back.” I learned them in high school and continue to mime a whip crack whenever I hear the song…which is thankfully not often.

If you are dying for more titillating facts about me check out my 100 things post over here. I have no idea who to tag for this that hasn’t already done it, but I am going to tag a few of my newest faithful commenters and anyone else left who is looking for a good meme: Marie, Erin, Jubilee, themommykelly, Kerry, hotomom and Courtney.

Also the lovely SAHMmy Says presented me with this lovely award.

                                            

Isn’t that the sweetest. Wisdom is my spiritual gift so it is good to know it is being put to good use (especially cause most days I am seriously questioning that gifts assessment I took). I am passing this award on to Big Binder cause she is full of all sorts of wisdom and is frankly making the rest of us look bad.

Music Monday- Kirk Franklin November 25, 2007

   Unless you have been seriously living under a rock, I think you have heard of this guy (I mean the man was on OPRAH). But in case you have in fact been living under a rock, let me introduce you to Kirk Franklin. He is absolutely amazing! He’s got all sorts of awards to prove it. I don’t even know how to talk about this guy and do him justice. So I will just let his music speak for itself. BTW- his music is best listened to loud.

Another Interpretation of “If You Can’t Say Something Nice…” November 24, 2007

 So I have been in high favor lately where Lily is concerned. She is all about her mommy all the time. Which has taken some adjusting to by her daddy who is used to being often times the parent of favor. For about two years, he has been the one to tuck her in at night and rub her back until she falls asleep. For the past couple of months that task has fallen to me.

So we have a moment where no more talking is allowed and she is supposed to concentrate on falling asleep. Last night after that moment I felt a tap on my shoulder. Then the following conversation transpired (names and identifying details have been changed to protect the innocent).

Lily: Mommy, I have decided I don’t like Kurt’s hair. It looks like a pumpkin.

Mommy: Lily, that isn’t nice to say. Jesus wants us to only say nice things about people. Think about how hurt Kurt would be if he heard you say that.

Lily: Oh, I would never say it to him. Let’s have it be our little secret.

Week 8- Take it off! November 24, 2007

 I bet you thought by the title today’s challenge was going to be very exciting. I hate to disappoint, but here in the Diaper Diaries household we are taking full advantage of the holiday weekend. That means eating too much and being lazy. The hubby and I haven’t showered or changed out of pajamas since Thursday. Yeah, we are that gross.

So that being said, we are most definitely not “bringing sexy back” around here. So I am giving you all a week to catch up with any challenges you might have slacked off on. You are not allowed to take a week off of having sex. That would be majorly missing the point. However, my brain is in a food coma haze and I can’t be forced to be creative. Also, it appears only 2 people are even reading blogs this weekend as my numbers have plummeted. 

So to be inspired by previous post check out here. Otherwise have a great weekend!! 

Weighing in 5 Pounds heavier November 23, 2007

 We had a lovely and very filling Thanksgiving. I hosted the family at my house which wasn’t bad at all since I had major help cleaning and cooking. I also have a mother-in-law who insisted on washing everything by hand after dinner. I think she even washed things we didn’t use considering how many clean dishes are piled up around my kitchen. Is it possible they were breeding through the night? Actually, breed away, as long as you are breeding clean dishes. Cause frankly, they are usually breeding the other kind.

We had a delicious turkey cooked on the grill. In true Thanksgiving fashion it took an hour longer than it should have, but we simply began munching on some fruit, deviled eggs and cookies to keep us occupied while waiting. The highlight of dinner for me was some sweet potatoes I whipped up involving 7 egg yolks and 3 cups of whole milk. So it was basically a healthy, low fat, reduced calorie kind of dish. I tried a new recipe that involved a blow torch which has inspired a new Thanksgiving motto: “It ain’t Thanksgiving unless there is a blow torch involved.” I think I will make some t-shirts up to commemorate.

The night ended with a rousing game of Michigan Rummy which I can humbly tell you I kicked some booty in. Today will be a day of sitting in elastic pants shopping on Amazon. I have found their prices to be comparable to most of the Black Friday sales going on. To all you suckers who woke up at 4 am to elbow your way through a bunch of crazy people to buy a $30 digital camera, I hope you found what you were looking for with minimal injuries. I was with you in spirit (not really, I was sleeping). 

Things I am Thankful For November 21, 2007

 Instead of Things I Love Thursday, how about Things I Am Thankful For. It only seems appropriate.

So many things, but mostly my amazing family. Not just the hubby, Lily and Hannah, but also my parents, my brother and his wife and all of my in-laws. I know I am so blessed and I hope I never take that for granted. I feel as though my cup is full, often times overflowing. I don’t for one second question where that blessing is coming from. 

I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. John 10:10

Works For Me Wednesday- A Use for Heels of Bread November 20, 2007

 I confess, until recently, I have been someone who threw away the heels of the bread. I know, I know, it is horribly wasteful. My hubby would even eat them, but just the thought was disturbing to me. I just didn’t understand why anyone would want to eat that!

Ok, so true confession. I know in my head that it is just bread, no different than any other bread. But I can’t get past the look of it. Do you think this reveals something about a deep seeded food shallowness? Is it possible I am too focused on appearance and am missing out on some great food because its looks don’t meet my standards? Doesn’t the Bible say it is what is on the inside that matters? Pray for me readers…I need some help being delivered from my food sins.

Then I had what Oprah would refer to as a lightbulb moment. What if I just didn’t have to look at the heel of the bread? What if I turned it over and the heel just disappeared? So that is precisely what I did. I made a grill cheese sandwich with the heels flipped over…and fed it to my kids. Baby steps people. Still, if my baby steps towards shallowness with food healing can help just one other mom, it will have all been worth it.

For more great ideas head over to Rocks in My Dryer.